The Temple of the Waters is teaming up with Darius, a member of Muslims for Progressive Values, to raise funds for a Palestinian friend of his:

"I am Amal Sheikh Ali from Rafah. I work as a psychologist and have a small family—my husband Mohammed, my daughter Nahaa, and my son Kareem.

Since October 7th, our lives have changed forever. We are internally displaced. I left my home and everything I owned to protect my life and the lives of my family because the area we live in has become dangerous.

We have been displaced from our homes and now we are refugees in Al-Mawasi Deir al Balah. My hope for myself and my family is to find safety, stability, and a place we can call home again. I love my daughter and husband so much because they give me strength and are my source of joy in these dark times. But I am worried about our future, and life is difficult because we face uncertainty, lack of resources, and the emotional weight of leaving everything behind.

We all suffer from momentary memory loss... We may forget some people's names.

We look at each other and do not mention the name.

I try to smile, even when life is hard, because it helps me hold on to hope and keep my family’s spirits up. My family and my husband always try to create an atmosphere other than feeling the anxiety of war... and to surrender our affairs to God.

However you can help us would be greatly appreciated. Your support means the world to us as we try to rebuild our lives."

Funds donated will support the living expenses of Amal's family, things like food, baby supplies, housing and transportation costs (though at the moment they are forced to stay immobile in the refugee camp they find themselves in).

May we all have what we need to live lives of security in dignity, wherever we are, whoever we are. Thank you for not looking away from this.

With gratitude and in faith,

-- Iridaea & Darius